Animated toy



Dec. 8, 1925- 'v 1.564.785

W. W. HARRIS ANIMATED TOY 7 Filed March 2. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 7pm) TOR,

W. W. HARRIS ANIMATED To! Filed March 1 1-925 2 Sheets-She's! 2 7/ INVENZOR,

JIM-W. I

' ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED res PATENT -0 F. C '-Tj VWI'LLIAM w. rmnnrs or New YORK, N. Y.,'essrenoaro Manna-runny LAST e t]? BBOCKTON, 'MASSACHUSETTS, A oonroaA rIoN or M sAonUsE'rrs.

ANIMATED Tor. 7

Application filed March 12,1925. Serial No. 15,012;

To all whom 2'25 may concern: I

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica,

residing at the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animated Toys, of.

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to animated toys An object of this invention is to devise an animated toy having OD'B'OI' more a'rtic ulated parts with 'provisiongof means for moving such articulated parts by som minuted, weighted material enclosed within the body of the toy.

Pursuant :to a preferred form of my in-' vention applicable for example to a dog toy the body of the toy is made hollow for receiving a compartment or equivalent for may be provided with member representing a tail which may be actuated by'the 'gravitating lead shot for a period and then brought to quiescence.

Preferably, the compartment is pivotally mounted within the body of the toy and partition means arranged whereby upon flow of the lead shot to a certain stage, the equilibrium of the pivoted compartment is altered, thus permitting the compartment to move jointly with the enclosed lead shot and thereby actuate a member representing other members of the toy, such as parts representing mechanically the tongue and the eyes, which may be combined as a single member. The pivot of thecompa-rtment may also be located to change the equilibrium of the combined body of the toy and of the compartment and enclosed lead shot whereby upon the lead shot attaining a predetermined height within the compartment the body of the toy as a whole is actuated to a changed position. v

g It will be understood that my invention is applicable to toys representing various animals, human beings or other types in representation objects. a V a Further features and objects will be more fully understood from-the "following detail.

description and theaccompanying drawings,

in which of animate. and inanimate HQ- 'F 1g. 1 1s a perspective view ofJa toy rep resenting a dogand embodying my inven-' tion.; The position of thetoy shown in this figure s termed hereinafter the iinal setting up position, which int he particular form of my invention as illustrated is at-I tained at the termination of the actuation of thetoy;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation of Fig. 1;

Fig.3 is a vertical sectional elevationof theitoy log illustrated in Figs. 1 and'2, but 7 shown 1n an inverted position; 1 Fig. i }is a vertical central section of the 'atoresaid toy dog, showing thes'a-me in a partial or intermediate setting-up position,

.in which position [its mouth is in closedposition and its eyes are in visible position. This view indicates an initial stage of the flow of the lead shot from the uppermost pocket of the compartment;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. i, "but showing the" shot at a later stage of its flow, from the upper compartment; the mouth having been moved to its open position and its eyes to closed-position.

Fig.6 is a sectional-elevation on line 6"6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation on line 77 of Fig. 5.

Referring to ,Fig. 1, representlng a toy dog 10, the rigid b ody' portion may include the trunk portion 11, the haunches 12, the 'neck and" head 13 and the upper fore-legs 14. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the member 15 representing the tail is shown of an articulated form, as by securing the member 15 to one end of the shaft 16 pivotally mounted in suitable open ings 17, 18 within the compartmentgl-g. 3 The Shaft 16 is provided with a detent 20 which may comprise dual impact members 21, 22, whereby as described more particularly hereinafter the lead shot 23 upon encounterin the oppositely disposed impact memhere 21, v22 cause the shaft to oscillate to and fro. Another articulated member 24 represents the lower hind-legs which may be combined as a unitary member. I have 'al so illustrated the lower fore-legs 25 as articuof the body portion 11. The ends of the pin 26 are swaged or equivalent for holding the pin in position. In the form of the compartment 19 as embodied in the illustrated toy, I form an upper portion 27 of general trapezoidal crosssection as viewed in Fig. 1 and a lower portion 28' of irregular quadrilateral cross-section which may terminate in a lowermost portion 29 of a general triangular cross-section. The lower portion 28 of the compartment 19 may be disposed in off-set relation to the upper portion 27. However, it will be understood that the number of portions of the compartment and the general contour and cross-sectionmay bemodified for conforming to the outline ofthe body of any particular animal or other figure, and for attaining the desired stage or stages of unstable equilibrium or like effects.

In the particular form of the toy illustrated in the drawings, the compartment 19 is provided with the partition 30 serving as a sloping shelf or bottom forming a pocket with the baffle 31. The baffle 31 is provided having an opening 32, see Figs. 3 and 7, for restricting by its extent of opening the rate offlow of the lead shot 23 from the pocket through the opening 32. The chute 33 serves to direct the path of flow of the lead shot into the lower portion 28 of the compartment 19.

' To dispose the lead shot 23 within the pocket formed by the shelf 30, it is necessary to invert the figure of the dog to the position indicated in Fig. 3,-which inverted position is attained from the position of the figure and the disposition of the shot 23 as indicated in Fig. 2 by anti-clockwise rotation of the toy from its position shown in Fig. 2 to its position shown in Fig. 3.

' Assuming that the lead shot 23 has been broughtinto the pocket formed by the shelf 30 and partition 31, the figure of the dog is then moved to its position as shown in Fig. 4 by further anti-clockwise rotation of the body 10 from its position shown in Fig. 3 to its position shown in Fig. 4.- The downward inclination of the shelf 30 and the opening 32 of the partition 31 permits the lead shot 23 to gravitate slowly therethrough, as indicated at 23*, and bytheprovision. of the chute 33, the lead shot as indicated at 23 are directed to fall alternately rection, the movement of which is indicated in Fig. 6, by full outline and dash outline, which oscillation movement is afforded by the pivotal mounting of the shaft 16 of the tail 15.

Upon accumulation of the lead shot as indicatedat 2' see Fig. 5, within the lower portion 23 of the compartment 19 to a height sufficient to cause an obstruction to the impact members 21, 22 of the detentmember 20, the detent member 20 is brought to quiescence, and the tail 15 stops moving.

The formation of the compartment 19 and the location of its pivot 26, in the embodiment illustrated, is suchthat when but a portion of the lead shot 23 is still remaining within the compartment of the shelf 23, the center of gravity of the combined compartment l9 and-of the lead shot 23 is shifted from the right vertically through the pivot pin 26 to the left-hand side of the plane passing vertically through the pivot pin 26,

thereby actuating in counter-clockwise direction the compartment 19 from its position shown in 4- to its position shown in Fig. 5. To attain actuation of an articit lated part upon such movement of the compartment 19, I arrange a member of the toy,

such as the member 34. representing the lower jaw and theeyes 35 and pivotally connected therewith the tongue 36, in coaction with the compartment 19 as by the provision of the angle portion 37 of the compartment 19 and the conca'vely turned end 38 of. the jaw and eye member 34, 35.

The tongue 36 may similarly be formed of a stamped material, suitably shaped and secured to the stamped metal portion 3 1 by means of its retaining pin 39. The pin 39 serves also as a pivotal pin for the jaw portion 34:. The head 13 of the body of the toyis provided with oppositely disposed openings l0. corresponding to the normal position of the eyes 35 to show the eyes 35 in open appearance when the mouth of the toy is in closed position. The member 34 also carries the representation 35" of the eyes of the toy animal in closed appean anee as in Fig. 1, the representations 35 being located to be visible throughthe open-.

ings 4-0 respectively when the lower jaw is compartment disposed within said hollow body, comminuted weighted material enclosed within said compartment, means disposed in said compartment for providing a gradual discharge of the comminuted weighted material from an upper location within said compartment to a lower location within said compartment, means for pivotally mounting said compartment within said hollow body for attaining a plurality of positions of equilibrium of said compartment and of the comminuted material for varying positions of accumulation of the comminuted material within said compartment whereby said articulated member is actuated and means'itor movably connecting a portion of said compartment remote from said pivotal mounting with said hollow body whereby upon the attainment of a change of position of equilibrium' of said compartment said hollow body is moved from one position to another position.

4C.The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, a member movably carried by said hollow body and representinglan articulated member, of the figure, gravity material disposed within said hollow body, means for retaining gravity material within said hollow body, means carried by said hollow body for providing a gradual discharge of the gravity material from an upper location to a lower location, means actuated'by said gravity material upon falling for actuating said articulated member and means for movably connecting a portion of said compartment remote from said pivotal mounting with said hollow body whereby upon the attainment of a change of position of equilibrium of said compartment said hollow body is moved from one position to anotherv position,

5. The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, a closed compartment disposed within said hollow body, g avity material enclosed within said closed compartment, a member movably carried by said hollow body and representing an articulated member of the figure, means for mounting said member to provide for the actuation of said member upon the movement of said closed compartment, means disposed'within said compartment for providing a gradual discharge of the gravity material from an upper location to a lower location, means for pivotally mounting said closed compartment for attaining 'movement ofsaid closed compartment for varying positions of the gravity material there in whereby upon movement of said closed compartment said articulated member is actuated and means for movably connecting aportion of saidcompartment remote from said pivotal mounting with said hollow body whereby upon the attainment of a'chan'ge of position of equilibriumof said compartment said hollow body is moved from one position to another position.

6. The combination ot a hollow body representing a figure, a member movably carried b said hollow body and representing an articulated member of the figure, a

closed compartment, means for movably mounting said closed compartment within said hollow body, means for mounting said within said closed compartment to a lower location within said closed compartment, means connecting said closed compartment with said articulated member whereby upon movement of said closed compartment said articulated member is actuated and means for movably connecting a portion of said compartment remote from said pivotal mounting with said hollow body whereby upon the attainment of a change of position of equilibrium of said compartment said hollow body is moved from one position to another position.

7. The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, means for movably supporting said hollow body, a member movably carried by said hollow body'and representing an articulated member, a closed compartment, gravity material disposed Within said closed compartment, means for movably connecting said compartment with said hollow body, means for mounting said member to provide for the actuation of said member upon the movement of said closed actuate said articulated member'and said hollow body from an inclined position to upright position. i

- 8. The combination or" a hollow body representing a figure, means for movably supporting said hollow body, a member movably carried on said hollow body and rep resenting an articulated member of the figure, a closed compartment, means for movably connecting said compartment with said hollow body, means for mounting said member to provide for the actuation of said member upon the movement of said closed compartment, gravity material disposed within said closed compartment, ,means disposed withinsaid closed compartment for providingfor a gradual discharge of said gravity material from an upperlocation to a lower location and means for pivotally mounting said closed compartment within said-hollow body for attaininga plurality of states of equilibrium and consequent movement of said closed compartment to thereby actuate said articulated member and'to move said hollow body from an inclined position to upright position. 7 a

9. The-combination of a hollow body representing a figure, means for movably sup-' porting said hollow body, a member movably carried on said hollow body and representing an articulated member of the figure, a closed compartment,- means for movably connecting said compartment with said holclosed compartment to thereby actuate said articulated member and to move said hollow body from an inclined position to upright" position in sequence.

10. The COIIlblIliLtlOIl of a hollow body representing a figure, a plurality of members movably carried by said hollow body'and' representing dilierent articulated members of the figure gravity material, a closed compartment provided with bafiie means, means for pivotally mounting said closed compartment within said hollow body for attaining a downward slope of said battle means for one position of said closed compartment, means for movably connecting said compartment with said hollow body,'means engaged by said gravity material upon gravitation from said balile means for actuating one of said articulated members and means responsive upon the accumulation by gravitation of said gravity material within said closed compartment for moving said hollow body from an inclined position to upright position.

11. The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, a member movably carried by said body and representing an articulated member of the figure, comminuted material enclosed within said hollow body, means providing for restricted gravitation of said comminuted material and means disposed in the path of gravitation of said comminuted material and operated thereby for moving said articulated member.

-12. The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, a member movably' carried by said body and representing an articulated member v of the figure, comminuted material enclosed within said hollow body, means disposed in "said hollow body for providing the continuous flow of. the comminuted material from an upper location within saidhollow body to a lower 1 0- cation within saidh'ollow body, means for regulating the extent of the continuous flow I of said comminuted material in said hollow; body, and means disposed in the path of flow of said comminuted material and oper ated' thereby for member;

moving said articulated 13. The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, a member movably carried by said body and representing an.

articulated member of the figure,- commi nuted material enclosedwithin safid hollow body, means disposed in said hollow body a for providing the continuous flow of the comminuted material from an upper loca-] tion within said hollow body toa lower location within said hollow body, means con-' trolling the pathofsaid comminuted material and'regulating the extent of the continuous flow of said comminuted material in said hollow body and means disposed inthe path of gravitation of said comminuted materialand operated thereby for moving said articulated member. 14. The combination of a carried by said body and representing'an articulated member of the figure, commi-f nuted material enclosed within said hollow body, means'disposed in said hollow'body for providing the continuous flow of the comminuted material from an upper location within said hollow body to a lower location within said hollow body, regulated means controlling the path of said commi-' cation within said hollow body, regulated means having a restricted opening controlling the path of said comminuted material and regulating the extent of the continuous flow of said comminuted material in saidhollow body and means disposed in the path hollow body a representing a figure, a membermovably' of gravitation of said comminuted material and operated thereby for rotating said articulated member.

16. The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, a member oscillatingly supported by said body and representing an articulated member of the figure, comminuted material enclosed within said hollow body, means disposed in said hollow body for providing the continuous flow of the comminuted material from an upper location within said hollow body to a lower location within said hollow body, means controlling the rate of said comminuted material and regulating the extent of the continu ous flow of said comminuted material in said hollow body, said controlling means coinprising an inclined member for supporting said comminuted material, bafiie means provided with an opening and a regulatable chute, and means disposed in the path of gravitation of said comminuted materal and operated thereby for oscillating said articulated member.

17 .-The combination of a body representing a figure, a closed compartment, gravity material, means disposed within said closed compartment for providing a gradual discharge'of said gravity material from an upper location within said compartment to a lower location within said compartment, means for movably connecting said compartment with said body, and means for mounting said closed compartment on said body for effecting a plurality of positions of equilibrium of said closed compartment and the consequent actuation of said movably connecting means andthe movement of said closed compartment from one position to another.

18. The combination of a body represent-' ing a figure, a closed compartment including an upper compartment portion extending laterally of a lower compartment portion,-

gravity material, means disposed in said upper compartment portion providing for a gradual discharge of said gravity material from said upper compartment portion 1nt'o said lower compartment portion and means for pivotally mounting said compartment on said figure extending intermediate said portion and said lower upper compartment compartment portion.

19. The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, means for movably supporting said hollow body, a compartment disposed within said hollow body, gravity material, means disposed in said compartment for providing a gradual discharge of said gravity material from an upper location to a lowerlocation, means movably connecting said compartment with said hollow body, and means for pivotally mounting said compartment on said hollow body for attaining a plurality ofpositions of equilibrium of said compartment and of said gravity material for varying positions of said gravity material at said upper location and said lower location and for effecting the actuation of said movably connecting means and thereby the movement of said hollow body.

20. The combination of a hollow body representing a figure, means for movably I of equilibrium of said compartment andv of said gravity material for varying positions of said gravity materal at said upper location and said lower location within said closed compartment and for effecting the actuation of said movably connecting means and thereby the movement of said hollow body from an inclined position to an upright position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 12th day of March, 1925. WILLIAM w. HARRIS. 

